Director of Carrier Relations - Group Benefits

Join Our Team as a Director of Carrier Relationships at Amwins Self-Funded!

The Director of Carrier Relationships is a senior leadership role responsible for driving enterprise-wide carrier strategy, strengthening business to business partnerships by optimizing operational performance, while advancing long-term business growth initiatives. This leader serves as a key strategic liaison between carrier partners, executive leadership, sales, and operations to ensure alignment, accountability, innovation, and scalable execution.

Why Choose Amwins?

At Amwins, we value our team members and offer a range of benefits to enhance your work experience:

• Flexible Scheduling: Enjoy a hybrid work environment with flexible scheduling options.
• Comprehensive Benefits: Access a competitive benefits package from day one, including generous Paid Time Off (PTO) and paid holidays.
• Continual Learning: Thrive in a collaborative, education-focused work environment.
• Annual Bonus Program: Earn incentives through our performance-based bonus program, designed to reward you for achieving key goals and contributing to the company's success.

Learn more about us at amwins.com/benefits

What You'll Do:

Strategic Carrier Relationship Leadership:

• Develop and execute carrier partnership strategies aligned with key organizational objectives
• Serve as the primary relationship lead for strategic carrier partners and key vendors
• Negotiate, manage, and oversee partnership agreements, evaluate performance, and measure long-term strategic initiatives
• Lead executive business reviews with carrier partners, presenting performance metrics, operational initiatives, and future growth opportunities
• Identify and implement opportunities to expand carrier relationships, enhance joint product offerings, and strengthen market competitiveness
• Support and track sales development initiatives through carrier reporting and engagement while promoting strategic collaboration between Carriers, Partners and Amwins
• Resolve and track escalated internal and external carrier-related issues while developing process changes to limit future issues
• Serve as primary point of contact for escalations, demonstrating the ability to enthusiastically solve problems and execute high priority deliverables

Operational & Strategic Oversight:

• Establish, maintain, and continually improve carrier performance metrics, KPIs, and reports
• Drive initiatives focused on efficiency and automation that improve service quality
• Partner with Finance and Premium Operations teams on carrier compensation and bonus reconciliation
• Work with cross functional teams creating enterprise reporting initiatives, translating complex data into actionable business insights
• Provide strategic oversight for carrier onboarding, implementation, integrations, and workflow optimization, including process transitions and technology enhancements

Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• Lead, mentor, and develop high-performing operational support teams
• Partner cross-functionally with leadership, sales, and operations to align strategic priorities
• Facilitate enterprise-wide communication and alignment regarding carrier initiatives, service issues, compliance requirements, and growth opportunities
• Champion organizational change management efforts tied to operational transformation and carrier strategy initiatives
• Assist affiliated operating companies by identifying potential business opportunities and facilitating strategic introductions with carrier partners, vendors, and other applicable internal stakeholders
• Foster a culture of accountability, innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement

Strategic Growth & Innovation:

• Identify and track market trends to inform strategic decision-making
• Identify emerging opportunities within stop loss and ancillary markets
• Lead special projects and executive initiatives that drive organizational performance and enhance revenue growth opportunities

What Success Looks Like:

• Develop and maintain strong executive-level carrier partnerships that drive measurable business growth and service improvements
• Work to improve operational efficiency, scalability, and process standardization across carrier-related functions
• Enhanced profitability through optimized carrier programs and strategic negotiations
• Create and maintain accurate, actionable reporting that supports executive decision-making
• Foster high-performing, collaborative teams with strong stakeholder satisfaction
• Successful execution of strategic initiatives, integrations, and transformation efforts

• Direct cross-functional collaboration among Sales, Account Management, and Claims to accelerate performance and enterprise outcomes

What You'll Bring to the Role

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional working experience required
• 10+ years of experience in group benefits, stop loss, or ancillary products required
• 5+ years of leadership experience within carrier relations, strategic partnerships, or operations
• Detailed knowledge of self-funded health plans and the importance of stop loss and ancillary products in an overall benefits program required
• Knowledge of stop loss carrier operations and financials with a basic understanding of reinsurance markets and how they support the stop loss market required
• Detailed knowledge of third-party administrator operations required
• Ability to analyze and review stop loss policy forms and have a detailed understanding of ERISA rules and benefit plan eligibility
• A detailed understanding of how stop loss policies are underwritten and sold by Carriers, Brokers/Consultants and where a general agent fits into the process
• Knowledge of the structure of Carrier vs MGU offerings and the strength and weakness of both
• Demonstrated success managing long term business relationships with understanding that many issues are best handled by in person meetings
• Ability to travel; will vary seasonally but may include multi-day trips up to a few times a month
• Exceptional communication, negotiation, and executive presentation skills
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams in a fast-paced, highly collaborative environment
• Strong organizational leadership, problem-solving, and change management capabilities
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel and Power BI
• Experience with benefit platforms and operational workflow optimization preferred

Ready to Make an Impact?

If you are a strategic leader passionate about building high-value partnerships, driving operational excellence, and leading transformational initiatives, we encourage you to apply and join the Amwins Self-Funded team.

The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or physical requirements. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.